IR 64
A high-yielding, widely adapted variety grown across several states; a long track record but needs current blast-race screening in some zones. Not yet individually researched for a detail page.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Paddy (Rice)
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- Kharif
- Maturity period
- 115–120 days
- Expected yield
- 55–60 q/ha
- Suitable soil
- Clay / black soil
- Release
- IRRI (International Rice Research Institute), Philippines — released 1985; adopted in India and many other countries soon after
About this variety
IR 64 is a rice variety bred by IRRI (International Rice Research Institute), Philippines, from the cross IR5657-33-2-1 × IR2061-465-1-5-5, released in 1985. Its full pedigree traces back through 19 traditional rice varieties. Prized for combining high yield with good eating and cooking quality, it spread rapidly after release to India, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and several other countries, becoming cultivated on more than 10 million hectares within two decades — earning it recognition as a "Mega Variety."
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
115–120 days
Expected yield
55–60 q/ha
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Advantages & considerations
Things to consider
- IR 64 is a Philippines-bred variety adopted into India rather than an India-institute release — this record's existing note field ("a high-yielding, widely adapted variety grown across several states") is consistent with this, though the international breeding origin is new detail not previously in this record.
- No India-specific yield, duration or states-recommendation figures from a primary source were found this phase — this record's existing "55–60 q/ha" yieldPotential, "115–120 days" duration and three-state field are left as the working reference, unconfirmed but not contradicted.
- The variety's global "Mega Variety" status (10+ million hectares within two decades of release) is new context explaining why IR 64 remains so widely grown decades after its original release — relevant to, but not contradicting, this record's existing note about it needing "current blast-race screening in some zones" given its age.
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
Frequently asked questions
Where was IR 64 bred?
At IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) in the Philippines, from the cross IR5657-33-2-1 × IR2061-465-1-5-5, released in 1985 — not an India-institute breeding, though it was adopted into India soon after release.
Why is IR 64 called a "Mega Variety"?
Because it spread so rapidly after release that it was being grown on more than 10 million hectares worldwide within two decades — an unusually broad and fast adoption for a single rice variety.
How far back does IR 64's pedigree go?
Its full pedigree traces back through 19 traditional rice varieties, reflecting decades of accumulated breeding work condensed into a single high-performing line.
Why does IR 64 still need blast-race screening despite its long track record?
Rice blast fungus evolves new races over time, and a variety released in 1985 was bred against the blast races known then — this record's existing note flags that current-generation blast races in some zones may not be fully covered by IR 64's original resistance.
Which countries besides India grow IR 64?
It was also released and widely grown in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and several other countries across Asia and Africa.